DEL MAR NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 27, 2009
by John Mucciolo
A budding star in the sophomore turf ranks headlined the week at Del Mar.
Del Mar Oaks (G1): Charles Fipke’s homebred INTERNALLYFLAWLESS
(Giant’s Causeway) took control in early stretch and powered home a half-length
winner for Bob Baffert and Garrett Gomez. The three-year-old filly finished off
1 1/8 miles on the firm lawn in 1:49 2/5 to earn her first graded win.
Track Stats
From a total of 46 races held over the coastal racetrack during the five-day
week, favorites won at a 26 percent clip and the top two betting choices
combined for 57 percent of the wins. From 35 frays contested on the Polytrack
oval, four animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (11 percent), while one of the 11
grassy tussles went all the way on the lead (9 percent).
The turf course is surely favoring horses that rally from off the pace, as
the lone grass wire job was done in a five-furlong dash. For the meet, just 10
percent of winners on the green have led at every call. That is considerably
lower compared to the meetings at Hollywood and Santa Anita.
Speed wasn’t preferred for the most part last week, as only Friday’s oval was
good to early leaders. We felt that horses traveling wider had an edge on the
main strip, even though the inner six post positions combined for 41 of the 46
wins (89 percent) over the week.
A recent start over the track is looking like a big advantage. We’ve seen a
number of horses that fared poorly, or below expectations, in their first start
over the track return with a much-improved showing the second time around this
meet
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 231 | |
| CUSHION TRACK: | 174 | |
| TURF: | 57 | |
| FAVORITES: | 74 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 48 (21 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 6 (10 percent) | |
| CUSHION WIRE: | 41 (24 percent) |
Post Positions (wins):
| RAIL: | 28 | |
| 1-3: | 83 | |
| 4-6: | 80 | |
| 7-out: | 68 |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/19)
2ND — We tabbed NIKKI’SGOLDENSTEED (Formal Gold) after his last and were
rewarded with a nice mutuel when the gelding closed fast to top a solid field.
The California-bred has found his niche as a closing one-turn animal, and he
should be stakes-bound next out. He came home in nearly :22 2/5 for his final
quarter!
8TH — DELTA STORM (Storm Boot) ran a huge second against one of the better
turf sprints field in California, falling a neck short late. The Mike Mitchell
trainee, who has made the Watch List several times in the past, continues to be
one of the more underrated claims over the past few years.
Thursday (8/20)
2ND — We know that BONFANTE (Fruition) is much better than his last-place
finish in here for Ron McAnally, and we’ll tab the talented sprinter for a big
turn around (at a nice price) in his next, especially if it’s on the lawn.
6TH — Former Watch horse PUNCTUAL (Werblin) responded when challenged to
hold on by a nose to win her second straight for Peter Miller. The two-year-old,
who romped at first asking, is impressive and should be a huge threat if
properly placed in her subsequent showing. Not bad for a $1,000 yearling.
7TH — NO PRODIGAL (In Excess [Ire]) showed excellent speed from a lengthy
absence and will almost surely be more fit for her next outing for conditioner
Jennie Green.
Saturday (8/22)
1ST — MALIBU SONG (Malibu Moon) came into this dash very hyped but failed to
deliver for Julio Canani, fading to fourth after showing good speed. We’ll
surely give the filly another chance.
3RD — LINDA LOU (Dixie Union) looked very good in her first route attempt,
and she appears to have a nice future as a miler type for trainer Richard
Mandella. The four-year-old miss beat a nice one in here and did so for fun.
7TH — SIDNEY’S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) established a new track mark in this
fantastic tally for John Sadler, and the sky is the limit or this promising
juvenile. We would think that the colt, who has good speed and a strong late
kick, could endure another furlong or two.
Sunday (8/23)
3RD — FAIR CHASE (Tale of the Cat) put in a solid effort at first asking for
Sadler, finishing a nose and neck shy of the win under Joe Talamo. The juvenile
filly didn’t exactly fire out of her rail post at the break, so a better start
and any improvement should yield a win in the very near future.
A Look Ahead
The $300,000 Del Mar Mile S. (G2) on Saturday and Sunday’s $250,000 Del Mar
H. (G2) are the weekend co-features.